Page 61 - Green Builder Magazine March-April 2018 Issue

Even better, you can use the Wemo Insight switch and Wemo app
to track how much energy a specific outlet or room is using. The
Flex House also featured Wemo switches and dimmers. None of the
Wemo products requires a hub or subscription, so they represent an
attractive option for those who want to dip their toes into the world
of smart home automation without making a huge investment.
Save resources, including time.

With so many things to track, it’s more important than ever to be
able to do it all from one place and one device. That’s what makes
integration so important and helps explain the growing popularity of
Amazon Alexa. Alexa can connect to over 1,000 smart home products,
enabling hands-free control over music, lighting, security and just
about every other smart home category.
Just as essential as integration is reliable, fast networking. The
Flex House demonstrated this concept with a “command center” that
included the Linkys Velop Wi-Fi system, various charging solutions
from Belkin, and a writeable wall, made possible by Benjamin
Moore’s Notable paint.
The Linksys Velop Wi-Fi system uses mesh networking to
CREDIT: BELKIN consistently find the strongest Wi-Fi signal, ensuring fast speeds
throughout the home. You can add “Nodes” to Velop, each of which
Right at home. Belkin’s smart power control products, such as increases the range by 2,000 square feet.
[either the dimmer or Insight] such as the Wemo Dimmer, are perfect Belkin has developed BOOST↑UP wireless charging pads for
for the homeowner who wants to easily and inexpensively smart Apple (iPhone X, iPhone 8 Plus, and iPhone 8) and Samsung Qi-
automate a home. enabled smartphones that deliver fast charging and which charge
Change behavior…or not. through most lightweight covers. Among Belkin’s many charging
solutions are a line of Pocket Power portable chargers, a wall-mounted
Anyone who’s worn a Fitbit and grown obsessed with getting charger and a universal charger which will charge any device with
their “steps” understands what a powerful influence data can have a USB cable.
on behavior. Therein lies one of the big promises of smart home While it’s obvious that smart home technology can save
technology: that providing fine-grained feedback on energy and water resources, including time, by allowing people to doing some
use (and the associated costs) will inspire people to shift energy things virtually, some of the applications are lesser known. For
usage to times of lower demand or fix that leaky toilet flapper (see example, The Flex House showcased the TytoHome patient center,
Phyn sidebar). which people can use to monitor vital signs and share information
As a case in point, Emerson has entered into partnerships with with doctors.
several utilities to engage customers in demand response programs Don’t forget to have fun.
facilitated by EnergyHub. Utility customers can use their Sensi smart
thermostats to reduce or shift energy use from peak times, easing Saving resources is great, but can smart home technology really can
the burden on the grid and saving them up to 10 percent on their help improve our lives? Absolutely, says Gutterman, pointing to
utility bills in the process. the Awair indoor air quality monitoring device as an example. IAQ
Some smart home technologies, such as smart appliances and monitoring by itself is a good thing. But as part of a smart home
irrigation controllers, streamline resource use in the background ecosystem, Awair can trigger the Emerson ceiling fans to kick on when
without us even knowing. Others, such as the Belkin Wemo smart air quality dips below acceptable levels. When Amazon Alexa connects
plugs featured in The Flex House, can be programmed to do so some the home’s smart devices with each other, Gutterman continues,
of the hard work for us. possibilities open up. For example, the connected smoke detector
Here’s how they work: Insert a Wemo Mini into a standard outlet, can “tell” the Rachio irrigation controller to switch on if it senses a
and whatever you plug into the Mini automatically becomes smarter. fire nearby or smoke inside the home, potentially preventing a fire
You can use Amazon Alexa voice commands to turn devices on and from spreading.
off or program them to do so automatically. (The plugs also work “Smart home technology can help keep our indoor air healthy, help
with Google Assistant.) This is the perfect application for someone us eat better and be cognizant of our activity levels,” says Gutterman.
like me, who intends but often forgets to do simple things to save “And smart locks, cameras and doorbells can help keep our families
energy, such as turning off power strips at night. (Anything plugged safe and protected.”
into a power strip will suck small amounts of energy throughout the And, with responsive speakers and VR goggles to enhance the
night; hence the term, “vampire loads.”) entertainment experience, it can help us have more fun, too. GB

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